Texas High to Honor Student Athlete Who Died

The Texarkana Texas Independent School District and its students are going to honor the memory of Leonard Parks who past away over the weekend at the age of 17.

Parks, who was a star athlete for the Texas High Tigers past away in his sleep Saturday night, just 24 hours after playing in the home season opener. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

Here is the release from the school district on all activities that are planned to honor him and another Texas High student who died in a fatal auto accident during the summer break.

Texarkana ISD is so appreciative for all the community thoughts, prayers and outreach that has been sent to us since the loss of Texas High School senior, Leonard Parks, on Saturday evening. Our community truly is #texarkanastrong.

Many of you have asked about any programs, events that will be held in memory of Leonard or if anything will be changing for our Friday evening Texas High vs. Arkansas High game.

At Texas High School, our Senior students will hold a Senior Sunrise at 6:45 a.m. on Friday, September 8 in the THS Courtyard. During that time there will be a Moment of Memory for not only Leonard Parks but also for Houston Hart, another THS Senior, who was killed tragically in a car accident on June 30. Following the Senior Sunrise, students will host the annual Bacon Fry from 7:45 – 8:20AM for all THS students and staff.

Also at Texas High School – Hallway 3 – students have created a post-it wall called the Hallway of Light that has post-it notes with a positive message, note of encouragement or positive quote for students/staff to take as needed and share with others. In this same area, they are encouraging students to do a memory posting of their favorite memory of Houston or Leonard.

T.I.S.D.

In terms of the game, everything will go as planned. The only change you may not be aware of is that the game will begin at 7:30PM and not the typical time of 8:00 p.m. Football players from both sides will be wearing a “LP6” logo on the back of their helmet (see attached for design) and there will be a moment of silence in memory of Leonard. Leonard was an elementary student at TASD and a middle and high school student for TISD.

A gofundme account was established for the Parks’ family by the parents of our quarterback, Coltin Clack. It remains open for donations. At present $8,425 has been raised by 120 people in two days. The goal was $3,500. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. Finally, funeral arrangements have been made for Leonard. They will be on Saturday at 2PM at the House of Refuge, 1700 West 6th Street.

Leonard, who was a senior this year, had committed to playing college football at SMU in Dallas.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, classmates, and of course his Tiger teammates at Texas High.